Accurate synchronization as a service

ABSTRACT

Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing network timing functionality. In some embodiments, a grand master clock(s) might receive a first timing signal from a global positioning system (“GPS”) source via a GPS antenna(s), and might send a second timing signal (which might be based at least in part on the first timing signal) to a slave clock(s), in some cases, via one or more network elements or the like. A computing system might calculate various transmission times for the second timing signal to be transmitted between the grand master clock(s) and the slave clock(s), and might calculate any time delay differences in the transmission times, might generate a third timing signal based at least in part on the calculated time delay differences (if any), and might send the third timing signal to one or more network elements, thereby providing Accurate Synchronization as a Service (“ASaaS”) functionality.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/393,556 (the “'556 Application”), filed Dec. 29, 2016 by Jeff Farraet al. and titled, “Accurate Synchronization as a Service” which claimspriority to U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 62/324,655 (the “'655Application”), filed Apr. 19, 2016 by Jeff Farra et al. and titled,“Accurate Synchronization as a Service—Timing Source for Virtual NetworkFunctions”, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety for all purposes.

COPYRIGHT STATEMENT

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialthat is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has noobjection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent documentor the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and TrademarkOffice patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrightrights whatsoever.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates, in general, to methods, systems,apparatus, and computer software for implementing network timingfunctionality, and, in particular embodiments, to methods, systems,apparatus, and computer software for implementing AccurateSynchronization as a Service (“ASaaS”) functionality.

BACKGROUND

As wireless carriers enhance their networks towards 5G/LTE-A or thelike, for example, increasingly precise timing are required for theirbackhaul networks and precise time synchronization is required betweentheir backhaul and fronthaul networks. Although current networks utilizesome form of providing timing or time synchronization to networkelements in the networks, some such networks do not appear to provideextremely accurate or precise timing or time synchronization, which arerequired due to variability in exceedingly more complex networks.

Hence, there is a need for more robust and scalable solutions forimplementing network timing functionality, and, in particularembodiments, to methods, systems, apparatus, and computer software forimplementing Accurate Synchronization as a Service (“ASaaS”)functionality.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A further understanding of the nature and advantages of particularembodiments may be realized by reference to the remaining portions ofthe specification and the drawings, in which like reference numerals areused to refer to similar components. In some instances, a sub-label isassociated with a reference numeral to denote one of multiple similarcomponents. When reference is made to a reference numeral withoutspecification to an existing sub-label, it is intended to refer to allsuch multiple similar components.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a system for implementingAccurate Synchronization as a Service (“ASaaS”) functionality, inaccordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a system for implementingASaaS functionality using open systems interconnection (“OSI”) modellayer 1 network elements, in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a system for implementingASaaS functionality using OSI model layer 2 network elements, inaccordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a system for implementingASaaS functionality using OSI model layer 3 network elements, inaccordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating another system forimplementing ASaaS functionality, in accordance with variousembodiments.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are schematic diagrams illustrating various systems forimplementing ASaaS functionality, in accordance with variousembodiments.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are flow diagrams illustrating a method for implementingASaaS functionality, in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary computer or systemhardware architecture, in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a networked systemof computers, computing systems, or system hardware architecture, whichcan be used in accordance with various embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS Overview

Various embodiments provide tools and techniques for implementingnetwork timing functionality, and, in particular embodiments, tomethods, systems, apparatus, and computer software for implementingAccurate Synchronization as a Service (“ASaaS”) functionality.

In various embodiments, a grand master clock(s) might receive a firsttiming signal from a global positioning system (“GPS”) source via a GPSantenna(s), and might send a second timing signal (which might be basedat least in part on the first timing signal) to a slave clock(s), insome cases, via one or more network elements or the like. A computingsystem might calculate various transmission times for the second timingsignal to be transmitted between the grand master clock(s) and the slaveclock(s), and might calculate any time delay differences in thetransmission times, might generate a third timing signal based at leastin part on the calculated time delay differences (if any), and mightsend the third timing signal to one or more network elements, therebyproviding Accurate Synchronization as a Service (“ASaaS”) functionality.

The various embodiments provide applications needing more accuratetiming information with the above-mentioned timing signals for improvingsynchronization between network elements, for providing timing tovirtual network elements and virtual network functions (“VNFs”). Theapplication might be implemented for a variety of new services,including, but not limited to, wireless networking for 5G networks,centralized radio access networks (“C-RANs”), and/or the like, includingtheir virtual units (if any). The method and system described herein maybe applied to host wireless and other networking hardware and VM-ware inhosted space and in central offices. In some cases, the variousembodiments might be applicable to wholesale services, transport andother network services, hosting, and central office deployments, or datacenters requiring specific timing and synchronization information (orsource).

In some embodiments, at least one of the first timing signal, or thesecond timing signal, and/or the third timing signal might each comprisea precision time protocol (“PTP”) timing signal, which might include,but is not limited to, frequency information, phase information, time ofday information, and/or the like.

In some cases, transport systems might be used to deliver accuratetiming, which, in some cases, might utilize open-loop feedbackinformation or closed-loop feedback information, thereby compensatingfor variations in the network path. In some instances, accurate timingsources (e.g., GPS sources in or outside the network) might be used. Oneor more grand master clocks might each transmit timing information aslave clock(s), which might be co-located (e.g., in a base band unit(“BBU”) hotel, a wireless service provider network, or the like). Theremight usually be two master clocks and two slave clocks for redundancy(although one of each might be used where appropriate). Time delaydifference between paths might be calculated (e.g., node A to node Z andnode Z to node A, or the like). An open-loop system (or a closed-loopsystem) might be in place to perform the measurement at a givenfrequency (which might be adjustable by software). The difference istaken into account for accurate timing. PTP might actively transmit timeof day information, frequency information, and phase information.

For layer 2 and layer 3 networks, the various transport systemsdescribed herein, in some cases, might be used to deliver accuratetiming, which, in some cases, might utilize open-loop feedbackinformation or closed-loop feedback information, thereby compensatingfor variations in the network path. In some instances, accurate timingsources (e.g., GPS sources in or outside the network) might be used. Oneor more grand master clocks might each transmit timing information aslave clock(s), which might be co-located (e.g., in a BBU hotel, awireless service provider network, or the like). Time delay differencebetween paths might be calculated (e.g., node A to node Z and node Z tonode A, or the like). An open-loop system (or a closed-loop system)might be in place to perform the measurement at a given frequency (whichmight be adjustable by software). The difference is taken into accountfor accurate timing. PTP might actively transmit time of dayinformation, frequency information, and phase information. Due to thevariability in the networks, the differences are generally larger forthe layer 2 and layer 3 networks compared to the layer 1 networks. Insome cases, the system might (establish and) enforce a path as static(i.e., unchanging, etc.) and as high priority as the networks allow. Insome instances, the system might guarantee that physical paths androutes remain the same. The system might also guarantee the highestquality service to transport timing information. This ensures smallestlevels of variations in the delay—in either direction. There mightusually be two master clocks and two slave clocks for redundancy(although one of each might be used where appropriate). In someembodiments, the two paths master clocks-to-slave clocks remainindependent and fixed in time.

The following detailed description illustrates a few exemplaryembodiments in further detail to enable one of skill in the art topractice such embodiments. The described examples are provided forillustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of theinvention.

In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the described embodiments. It will be apparent to oneskilled in the art, however, that other embodiments of the presentinvention may be practiced without some of these specific details. Inother instances, certain structures and devices are shown in blockdiagram form. Several embodiments are described herein, and whilevarious features are ascribed to different embodiments, it should beappreciated that the features described with respect to one embodimentmay be incorporated with other embodiments as well. By the same token,however, no single feature or features of any described embodimentshould be considered essential to every embodiment of the invention, asother embodiments of the invention may omit such features.

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers used herein to expressquantities, dimensions, and so forth used should be understood as beingmodified in all instances by the term “about.” In this application, theuse of the singular includes the plural unless specifically statedotherwise, and use of the terms “and” and “or” means “and/or” unlessotherwise indicated. Moreover, the use of the term “including,” as wellas other forms, such as “includes” and “included,” should be considerednon-exclusive. Also, terms such as “element” or “component” encompassboth elements and components comprising one unit and elements andcomponents that comprise more than one unit, unless specifically statedotherwise.

The tools provided by various embodiments include, without limitation,methods, systems, and/or software products. Merely by way of example, amethod might comprise one or more procedures, any or all of which areexecuted by a computer system. Correspondingly, an embodiment mightprovide a computer system configured with instructions to perform one ormore procedures in accordance with methods provided by various otherembodiments. Similarly, a computer program might comprise a set ofinstructions that are executable by a computer system (and/or aprocessor therein) to perform such operations. In many cases, suchsoftware programs are encoded on physical, tangible, and/ornon-transitory computer readable media (such as, to name but a fewexamples, optical media, magnetic media, and/or the like).

Various embodiments described herein, while embodying (in some cases)software products, computer-performed methods, and/or computer systems,represent tangible, concrete improvements to existing technologicalareas, including, without limitation, network virtualization technology,network configuration technology, virtualized network functiontechnology, Internet of Things (“IoT”) technology, machine-to-machinecommunication, network timing technology, network synchronizationtechnology, and/or the like. In other aspects, certain embodiments, canimprove the functioning of user equipment or systems themselves (e.g.,networks, network elements, etc.), for example, by sending timingsignals between each of one or more grand master clocks andcorresponding each of one or more slave clocks via various network pathsbetween the master clock(s) and the slave clock(s), calculating timedelay differences (if any) along the various network paths (in one orboth directions), generating a timing signal that takes into account thetime delay differences (if any), and sending the generated timing signalto the various network elements and devices requiring accurate timing oraccurate time synchronization, and/or the like. In particular, to theextent any abstract concepts are present in the various embodiments,those concepts can be implemented as described herein by devices,software, systems, and methods that involve specific novel functionality(e.g., steps or operations), such as sending timing signals between eachof one or more grand master clocks and corresponding each of one or moreslave clocks via various network paths between the master clock(s) andthe slave clock(s), calculating time delay differences (if any) alongthe various network paths (in one or both directions), generating atiming signal that takes into account the time delay differences (ifany), and sending the generated timing signal to the various networkelements and devices requiring accurate timing or accurate timesynchronization, and/or the like, which improves the interaction amongstthe various network elements and devices across both the backhaul orback haul network and the fronthaul or front haul network, improves thefunctionality of the various networks, and/or the like, to name a fewexamples, that extend beyond mere conventional computer processingoperations. These functionalities can produce tangible results outsideof the implementing computer system, including, merely by way ofexample, improved functionality of the various networks and of thevarious network elements and devices in the various networks, and/or thelike, at least some of which may be observed or measured by customersand/or service providers.

In an aspect, a method might be provided for implementing accuratesynchronization as a service (“ASaaS”) functionality. The method mightcomprise receiving, with a first grand master clock, a first timingsignal from a first global positioning system (“GPS”) source; sending,with the first grand master clock, a second timing signal to a firstslave clock via a first network path in a first network, the secondtiming signal being based at least in part on the first timing signal;and sending, with the first grand master clock, the second timing signalto the first slave clock via a second network path in the first network,the second network path being different from the first network path. Themethod might also comprise calculating, with a computing system, a firsttransmission time for the second timing signal to be transmitted betweenthe first grand master clock and the first slave clock via the firstnetwork path; calculating, with the computing system, a secondtransmission time for the second timing signal to be transmitted betweenthe first grand master clock and the first slave clock via the secondnetwork path; and based on a determination that the first transmissiontime and the second transmission time are different, calculating, withthe computing system, a time delay difference between the first networkpath and the second network path in terms of sending the second timingsignal to the first slave clock. The method might further comprisegenerating, with the computing system, a third timing signal, based atleast in part on the second timing signal and the calculated time delaydifference between the first network path and the second network path;and sending, with the computing system, the generated third timingsignal to a network node disposed within a second network.

In some embodiments, the third timing signal might comprise a precisiontime protocol (“PTP”) timing signal, the PTP timing signal comprisingfrequency information, phase information, and time of day information.In some cases, the second network might be a wireless carrier networkassociated with a wireless carrier. The network node might comprise atleast one base band unit (“BBU”). The first slave clock and the at leastone BBU might be disposed within at least one of a central office or aBBU hotel associated with the wireless carrier, and the PTP timingsignal might be used to provide timing and synchronization betweenbackhaul and fronthaul networks associated with the wireless carrier.

In some instances, the first network and the second network might be thesame network, and the first grand master clock might be disposed withinthe at least one of the central office or the BBU hotel associated withthe wireless carrier. The at least one of the central office or the BBUhotel might comprise at least one rooftop cable penetration throughwhich a cable provides the first timing signal to the first grand masterclock, via an optical converter, from at least one GPS antenna thatcommunicatively couples to the first GPS source.

According to some embodiments, the PTP timing signal might be a virtualPTP timing signal, and the at least one BBU might comprise at least onevirtual BBU (“vBBU”). The first slave clock might comprise a timingvirtual machine (“VM”) that is created in each of at least one pod, andthe first grand master clock and the at least one pod might be disposedwithin the at least one of the central office or the BBU hotelassociated with the wireless carrier. The first grand master clock mightcommunicatively couple with the at least one pod via optical fibercommunication. The at least one of the central office or the BBU hotelmight comprise at least one rooftop cable penetration through which acable provides the first timing signal to the first grand master clockfrom at least one GPS antenna that communicatively couples to the firstGPS source, and the at least one vBBU might receive time information andtime synchronization, via the virtual PTP timing signal, directly fromthe at least one pod.

Merely by way of example, in some embodiments, the method might furthercomprise receiving, with a second grand master clock, a fourth timingsignal from at least one of the first GPS source or a second GPS source;sending, with the second grand master clock, a fifth timing signal to asecond slave clock via a third network path in the first network, thefifth timing signal being based at least in part on the fourth timingsignal, the third network path being different from any of the firstnetwork path or the second network path; and sending, with the secondgrand master clock, the fifth timing signal to the second slave clockvia a fourth network path in the first network, the fourth network pathbeing different from any of the first network path, the second networkpath, or the third network path. The method might also comprisecalculating, with the computing system, a third transmission time forthe fifth timing signal to be transmitted between the second grandmaster clock and the second slave clock via the third network path;calculating, with the computing system, a fourth transmission time forthe fifth timing signal to be transmitted between the second grandmaster clock and the second slave clock via the fourth network path; andbased on a determination that the third transmission time and the fourthtransmission time are different, calculating, with the computing system,a time delay difference between the third network path and the fourthnetwork path in terms of sending the fifth timing signal to the secondslave clock. The method might further comprise generating, with thecomputing system, a sixth timing signal, based at least in part on thefifth timing signal and the calculated time delay difference between thethird network path and the fourth network path and based at least inpart on the second timing signal and the calculated time delaydifference between the first network path and the second network path;and sending, with the computing system, the generated sixth timingsignal to the network node disposed within the second network.

In some cases, the first network path might comprise a first sequence ofa first plurality of network elements through which the second timingsignal is sent. The second network path might comprise a second sequenceof the same first plurality of network elements through which the secondtiming signal is sent, and the second sequence might be the opposite ofthe first sequence. Similarly, the third network path might comprise athird sequence of a second plurality of network elements through whichthe fifth timing signal is sent. The fourth network path might comprisea fourth sequence of the same second plurality of network elementsthrough which the fifth timing signal is sent, and the fourth sequencemight be the opposite of the third sequence.

In some embodiments, the first network path and the second network pathmight each comprise open systems interconnection (“OSI”) model layer 3network devices, routers, and switches, and the first grand master clockmight be disposed within a service provider central office in the firstnetwork. In some instances, the first network path and the secondnetwork path might each comprise OSI model layer 2 network devices andswitches, and the first grand master clock might be disposed within aservice provider central office in the first network. In some cases, thefirst network path and the second network path might each comprise OSImodel 1 network devices, and the first grand master clock might becommunicatively coupled with a reconfigurable optical add-dropmultiplexer (“ROADM”).

According to some embodiments, sending the generated third timing signalto the network node might comprise sending, with the computing system,the generated third timing signal to the network node disposed withinthe second network via optical fiber communication between the computingsystem and the network node. In some cases, each of the first networkpath and the second network path might be static network paths.

In another aspect, a system might be provided for implementing accuratesynchronization as a service (“ASaaS”) functionality. The system mightcomprise a first grand master clock and a computing system. The firstgrand master clock might comprise a first processor and a firstnon-transitory computer readable medium communicatively coupled to theat least one first processor. The first non-transitory computer readablemedium might have stored thereon computer software comprising a firstset of instructions that, when executed by the at least one firstprocessor, causes the first grand master clock to: receive a firsttiming signal from a first global positioning system (“GPS”) source;send a second timing signal to a first slave clock via a first networkpath in a first network, the second timing signal being based at leastin part on the first timing signal; and send the second timing signal tothe first slave clock via a second network path in the first network,the second network path being different from the first network path.

The computing system might comprise at least one second processor and asecond non-transitory computer readable medium communicatively coupledto the at least one second processor. The second non-transitory computerreadable medium might have stored thereon computer software comprising asecond set of instructions that, when executed by the at least onesecond processor, causes the computing system to: calculate a firsttransmission time for the second timing signal to be transmitted betweenthe first grand master clock and the first slave clock via the firstnetwork path; calculate a second transmission time for the second timingsignal to be transmitted between the first grand master clock and thefirst slave clock via the second network path; based on a determinationthat the first transmission time and the second transmission time aredifferent, calculate a time delay difference between the first networkpath and the second network path in terms of sending the second timingsignal to the first slave clock; generate a third timing signal, basedat least in part on the second timing signal and the calculated timedelay difference between the first network path and the second networkpath; and send the generated third timing signal to a network nodedisposed within a second network.

In some embodiments, the third timing signal might comprise a precisiontime protocol (“PTP”) timing signal, the PTP timing signal comprisingfrequency information, phase information, and time of day information.In some cases, the second network might be a wireless carrier networkassociated with a wireless carrier. The network node might comprise atleast one base band unit (“BBU”). The first slave clock and the at leastone BBU might be disposed within at least one of a central office or aBBU hotel associated with the wireless carrier, and the PTP timingsignal might be used to provide timing and synchronization betweenbackhaul and fronthaul networks associated with the wireless carrier.

In some instances, the first network and the second network might be thesame network, and the first grand master clock might be disposed withinthe at least one of the central office or the BBU hotel associated withthe wireless carrier. The at least one of the central office or the BBUhotel might comprise at least one rooftop cable penetration throughwhich a cable provides the first timing signal to the first grand masterclock, via an optical converter, from at least one GPS antenna thatcommunicatively couples to the first GPS source.

According to some embodiments, the PTP timing signal might be a virtualPTP timing signal, and the at least one BBU might comprise at least onevirtual BBU (“vBBU”). The first slave clock might comprise a timingvirtual machine (“VM”) that is created in each of at least one pod, andthe first grand master clock and the at least one pod might be disposedwithin the at least one of the central office or the BBU hotelassociated with the wireless carrier. The first grand master clock mightcommunicatively couple with the at least one pod via optical fibercommunication. The at least one of the central office or the BBU hotelmight comprise at least one rooftop cable penetration through which acable provides the first timing signal to the first grand master clockfrom at least one GPS antenna that communicatively couples to the firstGPS source, and the at least one vBBU might receive time information andtime synchronization, via the virtual PTP timing signal, directly fromthe at least one pod.

Merely by way of example, in some embodiments, the system might furthercomprise a second grand master clock. The second grand master clockmight comprise a third processor and a third non-transitory computerreadable medium communicatively coupled to the at least one thirdprocessor. The third non-transitory computer readable medium might havestored thereon computer software comprising a third set of instructionsthat, when executed by the at least one third processor, causes thesecond grand master clock to: receive a fourth timing signal from atleast one of the first GPS source or a second GPS source; send a fifthtiming signal to a second slave clock via a third network path in thefirst network, the fifth timing signal being based at least in part onthe fourth timing signal, the third network path being different fromany of the first network path or the second network path; and send thefifth timing signal to the second slave clock via a fourth network pathin the first network, the fourth network path being different from anyof the first network path, the second network path, or the third networkpath. In some cases, the second set of instructions, when executed bythe at least one second processor, might further cause the computingsystem to: calculate a third transmission time for the fifth timingsignal to be transmitted between the second grand master clock and thesecond slave clock via the third network path; calculate a fourthtransmission time for the fifth timing signal to be transmitted betweenthe second grand master clock and the second slave clock via the fourthnetwork path; based on a determination that the third transmission timeand the fourth transmission time are different, calculate a time delaydifference between the third network path and the fourth network path interms of sending the fifth timing signal to the second slave clock;generate a sixth timing signal, based at least in part on the fifthtiming signal and the calculated time delay difference between the thirdnetwork path and the fourth network path and based at least in part onthe second timing signal and the calculated time delay differencebetween the first network path and the second network path; and send thegenerated sixth timing signal to the network node disposed within thesecond network.

In some cases, the first network path might comprise a first sequence ofa first plurality of network elements through which the second timingsignal is sent. The second network path might comprise a second sequenceof the same first plurality of network elements through which the secondtiming signal is sent, and the second sequence might be the opposite ofthe first sequence. Similarly, the third network path might comprise athird sequence of a second plurality of network elements through whichthe fifth timing signal is sent. The fourth network path might comprisea fourth sequence of the same second plurality of network elementsthrough which the fifth timing signal is sent, and the fourth sequencemight be the opposite of the third sequence.

In some embodiments, the first network path and the second network pathmight each comprise open systems interconnection (“OSI”) model layer 3network devices, routers, and switches, and the first grand master clockmight be disposed within a service provider central office in the firstnetwork. In some instances, the first network path and the secondnetwork path might each comprise OSI model layer 2 network devices andswitches, and the first grand master clock might be disposed within aservice provider central office in the first network. In some cases, thefirst network path and the second network path might each comprise OSImodel 1 network devices, and the first grand master clock might becommunicatively coupled with a reconfigurable optical add-dropmultiplexer (“ROADM”).

According to some embodiments, sending the generated third timing signalto the network node might comprise sending the generated third timingsignal to the network node disposed within the second network viaoptical fiber communication between the computing system and the networknode. In some cases, each of the first network path and the secondnetwork path might be static network paths.

Various modifications and additions can be made to the embodimentsdiscussed without departing from the scope of the invention. Forexample, while the embodiments described above refer to particularfeatures, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments havingdifferent combination of features and embodiments that do not includeall of the above described features.

Specific Exemplary Embodiments

We now turn to the embodiments as illustrated by the drawings. FIGS. 1-8illustrate some of the features of the method, system, and apparatus forimplementing network timing functionality, and, in particularembodiments, to methods, systems, apparatus, and computer software forimplementing Accurate Synchronization as a Service (“ASaaS”)functionality, as referred to above. The methods, systems, andapparatuses illustrated by FIGS. 1-8 refer to examples of differentembodiments that include various components and steps, which can beconsidered alternatives or which can be used in conjunction with oneanother in the various embodiments. The description of the illustratedmethods, systems, and apparatuses shown in FIGS. 1-8 is provided forpurposes of illustration and should not be considered to limit the scopeof the different embodiments.

With reference to the figures, FIG. 1 is a schematic diagramillustrating a system 100 for implementing Accurate Synchronization as aService (“ASaaS”) functionality, in accordance with various embodiments.In the non-limiting embodiment of FIG. 1, system 100 might comprise afirst grand master clock 105 a, which might receive a first timingsignal 110 a from a first global positioning system (“GPS”) source 115a, via a GPS transmitter or broadcast system 120 a communicativelycoupled to the GPS source 115 a and a GPS antenna 120 b communicativelycoupled to the first grand master clock 105 a. The first grand masterclock 105 a might send a second timing signal 125 a and/or 140 a—in somecases, via a computing system 130 in service provider network(s) 135—toa first slave clock 145 a in network(s) 150, which might be associatedwith a customer (which might be a wireless service provider, a cellularcommunications service provider, an end-user, and/or the like). In somecases, the network(s) 150 might include, without limitation, at leastone of a 5G network(s), a centralized radio access network(s)(“C-RAN(s)”), a cellular network, a WiFi network, other wirelesscommunications networks, and/or the like. The second timing signalmight, in some instances, be based at least in part on the first timingsignal. In some cases, at least one of the first timing signal or thesecond timing signal might each comprise a precision time protocol(“PTP”) timing signal, which might include, but is not limited to,frequency information, phase information, time of day information,and/or the like.

In some embodiments, the first grand master clock 105 a might send thesecond timing signal to the first slave clock 145 a via a first networkpath in the first network and might send the second timing signal to thefirst slave clock 145 a via a second network path in the first network,the second network path being different from the first network path.According to some embodiments, the first network path might comprise afirst sequence of a first plurality of network elements through whichthe second timing signal is sent, while the second network path mightcomprise a second sequence of the same first plurality of networkelements through which the second timing signal is sent, and the secondsequence might be the opposite of the first sequence. In other words, insuch embodiments, sending the timing signal along the first network pathmight comprise sending from the master clock to the slave clock, whilesending the timing signal along the second network path might comprisesending along a return path from the slave clock to the master clock, orvice versa, where the timing signal passes along the same networkelements except in the reverse order along the return path.

According to some embodiments, the first network path and the secondnetwork path might each comprise open systems interconnection (“OSI”)model layer 1 network devices, and the first grand master clock might becommunicatively coupled with a reconfigurable optical add-dropmultiplexer (“ROADM”), which might utilize at least one of densewavelength division multiplexing (“DWDM”) and/or coarse wavelengthdivision multiplexing (“CWDM”) techniques, or the like. Alternatively,or additionally, the first network path and the second network pathmight each comprise OSI model layer 2 network devices and switches, andthe first grand master clock might be disposed within a service providercentral office in the first network. Alternatively, or additionally, thefirst network path and the second network path might each comprise OSImodel layer 3 network devices, routers, and switches, and the firstgrand master clock might also be disposed within a service providercentral office in the first network. In some cases, each of the firstnetwork path and the second network path might be static network paths.With the physical paths and routes being the same (or static), thehighest quality of services to transport timing information can beachieved, while ensuring the smallest levels of variations in thedelay—along either direction.

In some instances, the computing system 130 might calculate a firsttransmission time for the second timing signal to be transmitted betweenthe first grand master clock 105 a and the first slave clock 145 a viathe first network path, and might calculate a second transmission timefor the second timing signal to be transmitted between the first grandmaster clock 105 a and the first slave clock 145 a via the secondnetwork path. Based on a determination that the first transmission timeand the second transmission time are different, the computing system 130might calculate a time delay difference between the first network pathand the second network path in terms of sending the second timing signalto the first slave clock 145 a. The computing system 130 might thengenerate a third timing signal 155 a, based at least in part on thesecond timing signal and the calculated time delay difference betweenthe first network path and the second network path, and might send thegenerated third timing signal 155 a to a network node 160 disposedwithin the second network 150 (in some cases, via the first slave clock145 a). The network node 160, in some cases, might include, withoutlimitation, at least one of one or more network elements, one or morebase band units (“BBUs”), one or more computing systems, and/or thelike. The one or more network elements might include, but are notlimited to, network switches, network nodes, network routers, gatewaydevices, and/or the like. The one or more BBUs might comprise cellularBBUs, wireless communications BBUs, and/or the like. In some cases, atleast one of the one or more BBUs might include one or more virtual BBUs(“vBBUs”), or the like. The network node 160 might, in turn, providetiming signal 165 a (which might either be the same as timing signal 155a or might be based at least in part on timing signal 155 a) to one ormore devices 170 a-170 n (collectively, “devices 170”), which mightinclude, but are not limited to, one or more BBUs, one or more remoteradio heads (“RRHs”), one or more other network elements, one or moreother fronthaul or front haul network elements, one or more backhaul orback haul network elements, or any other devices that utilize timingsignals, and/or the like.

According to some embodiments, system 100 might further comprise asecond grand master clock 105 b, which might receive a fourth timingsignal 110 b from a second GPS source 115 b, via a GPS transmitter orbroadcast system 120 a communicatively coupled to the GPS source 115 band a GPS antenna 120 b communicatively coupled to the second grandmaster clock 105 b. The second grand master clock 105 b might send afifth timing signal 125 b and/or 140 b—in some cases, via the computingsystem 130 in service provider network(s) 135—to a second slave clock145 b in network(s) 150. The fifth timing signal might, in someinstances, be based at least in part on the fourth timing signal. Insome cases, at least one of the fourth timing signal or the fifth timingsignal might each comprise a PTP timing signal, which, as describedabove, might include, but is not limited to, frequency information,phase information, time of day information, and/or the like.

In some embodiments, the second grand master clock 105 b might send thefifth timing signal to the second slave clock 145 b via a third networkpath in the first network and might send the fifth timing signal to thesecond slave clock 145 b via a fourth network path in the first network,the fourth network path being different from the third network path (andalso difference from either the first network path or the second networkpath). According to some embodiments, the third network path mightcomprise a third sequence of a second plurality of network elementsthrough which the fifth timing signal is sent, while the fourth networkpath might comprise a fourth sequence of the same second plurality ofnetwork elements through which the fifth timing signal is sent, and thefourth sequence might be the opposite of the third sequence. In otherwords, in such embodiments, sending the timing signal along the thirdnetwork path might comprise sending from the master clock to the slaveclock, while sending the timing signal along the fourth network pathmight comprise sending along a return path from the slave clock to themaster clock, or vice versa, where the timing signal passes along thesame network elements except in the reverse order along the return path.

In some instances, the computing system 130 might calculate a thirdtransmission time for the fifth timing signal to be transmitted betweenthe second grand master clock 105 b and the second slave clock 145 b viathe third network path, and might calculate a fourth transmission timefor the fifth timing signal to be transmitted between the second grandmaster clock 105 b and the second slave clock 145 b via the fourthnetwork path. Based on a determination that the third transmission timeand the fourth transmission time are different, the computing system 130might calculate a time delay difference between the third network pathand the fourth network path in terms of sending the fifth timing signalto the second slave clock 145 b. The computing system 130 might thengenerate a sixth timing signal 155 b, based at least in part on thesecond timing signal and the calculated time delay difference betweenthe first network path and the second network path and based at least inpart on the fifth timing signal and the calculated time delay differencebetween the third network path and the fourth network path, and mightsend the generated sixth timing signal 155 b to a network node 160disposed within the second network 150 (in some cases, via the secondslave clock 145 b). The network node 160 might, in turn, provide timingsignal 165 b (which might either be the same as timing signal 155 b ormight be based at least in part on timing signal 155 b) to the one ormore devices 170 a-170 n. The use of two master clocks and two slaveclocks, in some embodiments, provide redundancy. In some embodiments,the two paths master clocks-to-slave clocks remain independent and fixedin time.

According to some embodiments, the first/second grand master clock(s)105 and/or the computing system 130 might send the second timing signalor fifth timing signal via one or more network elements 175 a-175 n(collectively, “network elements 175”), which might include, withoutlimitation, at least one of network switches, network nodes, networkrouters, gateway devices, and/or the like. As shown in the non-limitingembodiment of FIG. 1, rather than sending timing signals 140 a and 140 bdirectly (or substantially directly) to the first and second slaveclocks 145 a and 145 b, timing signals 140 might be sent via the one ormore network elements 175, with the second timing signal (shown astiming signal 140 c) being sent between the network element 175 n andthe first slave clock 145 a and the fifth timing signal (shown as timingsignal 140 d) being sent between the network element 175 n and thesecond slave clock 145 b.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a system 200 for implementingASaaS functionality using open systems interconnection (“OSI”) modellayer 1 network elements, in accordance with various embodiments. In theembodiment of FIG. 200, system 200 might comprise a reconfigurableoptical add-drop multiplexer (“ROADM”) 205, which might be part of anoptical mesh network or the like (not shown). System 200 might furthercomprise one or more nodes 210 a-210 d (collectively, “nodes 210”) that,in some cases, might serve as input and/or output for the ROADM 205. Insome cases, the one or more nodes 210 might include, without limitation,at least one of one or more network switches, one or more network nodes,one or more network routers, one or more gateway devices, and/or thelike. Here, the ROADM 205 and the one or more nodes 210 might be OSIlayer 1 network elements.

System 200 might also comprise a first grand master clock 215 a and asecond grand master clock 215 b, each of which might be communicativelycoupled to a GPS antenna 220 that receives timing signals from a GPSsource (such as GPS source(s) 115 of FIG. 1, or the like). System 200might further comprise a first slave clock 225 a and a second slaveclock 225 b that may both be disposed in a base band unit (“BBU”) hotel230, or the like. The first grand master clock 215 a might send, vianode 210 c (for example), a first timing signal to the first slave clock225 a via network path 235 a, while the second grand master clock 215 bmight send, via nodes 210 d and 210 c (for example), a second timingsignal to the second slave clock 225 b via network path 235 b. Accordingto some embodiments, one of the first grand master clock 215 a, thesecond grand master clock 215 b, the node 210 c, and/or the like(collectively, “the computing system”) might calculate at least one of afirst transmission time from the first grand master clock 215 a to thefirst slave clock 225 a, a second transmission time from the first slaveclock 225 a back to the first grand master clock 215 a, a thirdtransmission time from the second grand master clock 215 b to the secondslave clock 225 b, a fourth transmission time from the second slaveclock 225 b back to the second grand master clock 215 b, and/or thelike. Based on a determination that the first transmission time isdifferent from the second transmission time, the computing system mightcalculate a first time delay difference between the second transmissiontime and the first transmission time. Similarly, based on adetermination that the third transmission time is different from thefourth transmission time, the computing system might calculate a secondtime delay difference between the fourth transmission time and the thirdtransmission time. Based on a determination that the first transmissiontime is different from the third transmission time, the computing systemmight calculate a third time delay difference between the thirdtransmission time and the first transmission time. Likewise, based on adetermination that the second transmission time is different from thefourth transmission time, the computing system might calculate a fourthtime delay difference between the fourth transmission time and thesecond transmission time. Based at least in part on one or more of thefirst time delay difference, the second time delay difference, the thirdtime delay difference, and the fourth time delay difference, and basedat least in part on at least one of the first timing signal, the secondtiming signal, the first transmission time, the second transmissiontime, the third transmission time, and/or the fourth transmission time,the computing system might generate a third timing signal and might sendthe generated third timing signal to the first and second slave clocks225, which might forward the third timing signal to one or more BBUs 240that are housed in the BBU hotel 230. The one or more BBUs 240 mightforward the timing signal to one or more remote radio heads (“RRHs”),one or more other network elements, one or more other fronthaul orfront-haul network elements, one or more backhaul or back-haul networkelements, or any other devices that utilize timing signals, and/or thelike. In some embodiments, at least one of the first timing signal, thesecond timing signal, the generated third timing signal, the forwardedtiming signals, and/or the like might each comprise a precision timeprotocol (“PTP”) timing signal, which might include, but is not limitedto, frequency information, phase information, time of day information,and/or the like.

The delivery of timing signals using the configuration of system 200 orusing layer 1 network elements enables transmission of timing signalsover great distances while maintaining a very high quality timing signal(e.g., PTP signal).

The first grand master clock 215 a, the second grand master clock 215 b,the GPS antenna 220, the one or more nodes 210, the first slave clock225 a, the second slave clock 225 b, and the BBUs 240 of system 200might otherwise be similar, if not identical, to the first grand masterclock 105 a, the second grand master clock 105 b, the GPS antenna 120 b,the computing system 130 or the one or more network elements 175, thefirst slave clock 145 a, the second slave clock 145 b, and the networknode 160 of system 100 of FIG. 1, respectively, and the descriptions ofthese components of system 100 are applicable to the correspondingcomponents of system 200, respectively.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a system 300 for implementingASaaS functionality using OSI model layer 2 network elements, inaccordance with various embodiments. In the embodiment of FIG. 300,system 300 might comprise a service provider central office (“CO”) 305,which might be part of a service provider network 325 or the like.System 300 might further comprise a first grand master clock 310 a and asecond grand master clock 310 b, each of which might be communicativelycoupled to a GPS antenna 315 (in some cases, to the same GPS antenna315) that receives timing signals from a GPS source (such as GPSsource(s) 115 of FIG. 1, or the like). The first grand master clock 310a and the second grand master clock 310 b might be located within the CO305.

System 300 might also comprise one or more network elements 320 disposedwithin network(s) 325 and one or more nodes 330 disposed within a BBUhotel 335. Although the one or more network elements 320 and the one ormore nodes 330 are depicted in FIG. 3 by switch icons, the one or morenetwork elements 320 and the one or more nodes 330 might each include,without limitation, one or more network switches, one or more networknodes, one or more network routers, one or more gateway devices, and/orthe like. Here, the one or more network elements 320 and the one or morenodes 330 might be OSI layer 2 network elements.

System 300 might further comprise a first slave clock 345 a and a secondslave clock 345 b that may both be disposed in the BBU hotel 335, or thelike. The first grand master clock 305 a might send, via the one or morenetwork elements 320 and the one or more nodes 330 (for example), afirst timing signal to the first slave clock 345 a via network path 340a, while the second grand master clock 305 b might send, via the one ormore network elements 320 and the one or more nodes 330 (for example), asecond timing signal to the second slave clock 345 b via network path340 b. According to some embodiments, one of the first grand masterclock 315 a, the second grand master clock 315 b, the one or morenetwork elements 320, and the one or more nodes 330, and/or the like(collectively, “the computing system”) might calculate at least one of afirst transmission time from the first grand master clock 305 a to thefirst slave clock 345 a, a second transmission time from the first slaveclock 345 a back to the first grand master clock 305 a, a thirdtransmission time from the second grand master clock 305 b to the secondslave clock 345 b, a fourth transmission time from the second slaveclock 345 b back to the second grand master clock 305 b, and/or thelike. Based on a determination that the first transmission time isdifferent from the second transmission time, the computing system mightcalculate a first time delay difference between the second transmissiontime and the first transmission time. Similarly, based on adetermination that the third transmission time is different from thefourth transmission time, the computing system might calculate a secondtime delay difference between the fourth transmission time and the thirdtransmission time. Based on a determination that the first transmissiontime is different from the third transmission time, the computing systemmight calculate a third time delay difference between the thirdtransmission time and the first transmission time. Likewise, based on adetermination that the second transmission time is different from thefourth transmission time, the computing system might calculate a fourthtime delay difference between the fourth transmission time and thesecond transmission time. Based at least in part on one or more of thefirst time delay difference, the second time delay difference, the thirdtime delay difference, and the fourth time delay difference, and basedat least in part on at least one of the first timing signal, the secondtiming signal, the first transmission time, the second transmissiontime, the third transmission time, and/or the fourth transmission time,the computing system might generate a third timing signal and might sendthe generated third timing signal to the first and second slave clocks345, which might forward the third timing signal to one or more BBUs 350that are housed in the BBU hotel 335. The one or more BBUs 350 mightforward the timing signal to one or more remote radio heads (“RRHs”),one or more other network elements, one or more other fronthaul networkelements, one or more backhaul network elements, or any other devicesthat utilize timing signals, and/or the like. In some embodiments, atleast one of the first timing signal, the second timing signal, thegenerated third timing signal, the forwarded timing signals, and/or thelike might each comprise a PTP timing signal, which might include, butis not limited to, frequency information, phase information, time of dayinformation, and/or the like.

This set of embodiments use layer 2 network devices, switches, and/orthe like to deliver PTP (or other) timing signals to a network(s) (e.g.,a wireless carrier's network(s) or the like). In some cases, only layer2 devices near the edge of the network/cloud might be used. In otherwords, such embodiments might only be implemented in localizedgeographical areas. Quality of service (“QoS”) might be enabled, in someinstances, and a guaranteed static route might be established. Like theembodiment of FIG. 2, deploying network equipment after the slave clocksmay allow the distribution of the PTP signal to support multiple BBUs inthe CO or BBU hotel 335.

The first grand master clock 305 a, the second grand master clock 305 b,the GPS antenna 315, the one or more network elements 320 or the one ormore nodes 330, the first slave clock 345 a, the second slave clock 345b, and the BBUs 350 of system 300 might otherwise be similar, if notidentical, to the first grand master clock 105 a, the second grandmaster clock 105 b, the GPS antenna 120 b, the computing system 130 orthe one or more network elements 175, the first slave clock 145 a, thesecond slave clock 145 b, and the network node 160 of system 100 of FIG.1, respectively, and the descriptions of these components of system 100are applicable to the corresponding components of system 300,respectively.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a system 400 for implementingASaaS functionality using OSI model layer 3 network elements, inaccordance with various embodiments. In the embodiment of FIG. 400,system 400 might comprise one or more service provider central office(“CO”) 405 a and 405 b (collectively, “COs 405” or “central offices405,” or the like), which might be part of a service provider network430 or the like. System 400 might further comprise a first grand masterclock 410 a located at CO 405 a and a second grand master clock 410 blocated at CO 405 b, each of the master clocks 410 might becommunicatively coupled to a respective GPS antenna 415 that receivestiming signals from one or more GPS sources (such as GPS sources 115 ofFIG. 1, or the like).

System 400 might also comprise one or more network elements 420 and 425disposed within network(s) 430 (and, in some cases, also disposed at oneor more of the CO 405 and/or at a BBU hotel 435). Although the one ormore network elements 420 are depicted in FIG. 4 by switch icons and theone or more network elements 425 are depicted in FIG. 4 by router icons,the one or more network elements 420 and 425 might each include, withoutlimitation, one or more network switches, one or more network nodes, oneor more network routers, one or more gateway devices, and/or the like.Here, the one or more network elements 420 and 425 might be OSI layer 3network elements.

System 400 might further comprise a first slave clock 445 a and a secondslave clock 445 b that may both be disposed in the BBU hotel 435, or thelike. The first grand master clock 405 a might send, via the one or morenetwork elements 420 and 425 (for example), a first timing signal to thefirst slave clock 445 a via network path 440 a, while the second grandmaster clock 405 b might send, via the one or more network elements 420and 425 (for example), a second timing signal to the second slave clock445 b via network path 440 b. Although network path 440 a is depicted inFIG. 4 as consisting of a first network switch 420, a first router 425,a second network switch 420, a third network switch 420, a second router425, a fourth network switch 420, and a BBU hotel router 425, in orderfrom the first grand master clock 405 a to the first slave clock 445 a,the various embodiments are not so limited, and network path 440 abetween the first grand master clock 405 a to the first slave clock 445a can have any number of network switches, network nodes, routers,gateways, and/or the like in any particular sequence, as appropriate oras desired. Likewise, although network path 440 b is depicted in FIG. 4as consisting of a CO router 425, first network switch 420, a firstrouter 425, a second router 425, a second network switch 420, a thirdrouter 425, a fourth router 425, a third network switch 420, and a BBUhotel router 425, in order from the second grand master clock 405 b tothe second slave clock 445 b, the various embodiments are not solimited, and network path 440 a between the second grand master clock405 b to the second slave clock 445 b can have any number of networkswitches, network nodes, routers, gateways, and/or the like in anyparticular sequence, as appropriate or as desired.

According to some embodiments, one of the first grand master clock 415a, the second grand master clock 415 b, the one or more network elements420 or 425, and/or the like (collectively, “the computing system”) mightcalculate at least one of a first transmission time from the first grandmaster clock 405 a to the first slave clock 445 a, a second transmissiontime from the first slave clock 445 a back to the first grand masterclock 405 a, a third transmission time from the second grand masterclock 405 b to the second slave clock 445 b, a fourth transmission timefrom the second slave clock 445 b back to the second grand master clock405 b, and/or the like. Based on a determination that the firsttransmission time is different from the second transmission time, thecomputing system might calculate a first time delay difference betweenthe second transmission time and the first transmission time. Similarly,based on a determination that the third transmission time is differentfrom the fourth transmission time, the computing system might calculatea second time delay difference between the fourth transmission time andthe third transmission time. Based on a determination that the firsttransmission time is different from the third transmission time, thecomputing system might calculate a third time delay difference betweenthe third transmission time and the first transmission time. Likewise,based on a determination that the second transmission time is differentfrom the fourth transmission time, the computing system might calculatea fourth time delay difference between the fourth transmission time andthe second transmission time. Based at least in part on one or more ofthe first time delay difference, the second time delay difference, thethird time delay difference, and the fourth time delay difference, andbased at least in part on at least one of the first timing signal, thesecond timing signal, the first transmission time, the secondtransmission time, the third transmission time, and/or the fourthtransmission time, the computing system might generate a third timingsignal and might send the generated third timing signal to the first andsecond slave clocks 445, which might forward the third timing signal toone or more BBUs 450 that are housed in the BBU hotel 435. The one ormore BBUs 450 might forward the timing signal to one or more remoteradio heads (“RRHs”), one or more other network elements, one or moreother fronthaul network elements, one or more backhaul network elements,or any other devices that utilize timing signals, and/or the like. Insome embodiments, at least one of the first timing signal, the secondtiming signal, the generated third timing signal, the forwarded timingsignals, and/or the like might each comprise a PTP timing signal, whichmight include, but is not limited to, frequency information, phaseinformation, time of day information, and/or the like.

This set of embodiments use layer 3 network devices, switches, routers,and/or the like to deliver PTP (or other) timing signals to a network(s)(e.g., a wireless carrier's network(s) or the like). These embodimentsaccommodate the need for the PTP timing signal (or other timing signal)to be delivered to locations across metropolitan areas by using thelayer 3 network equipment. Quality of service (“QoS”) might be enabled,in some instances, and a guaranteed static route might be established.Like the embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 3, deploying network equipment afterthe slave clocks may allow the distribution of the PTP signal to supportmultiple BBUs in the CO or BBU hotel 335. In some embodiments, PTPboundary clocks could also be deployed at the edge of the cloud ornetwork to enhance the PTP signal quality at the slave clocks. Deployingtransparent clock technology in the cloud or network devices might alsoenhance the PTP signal quality at the slave clocks. Advantageously, thelayer 3 networks are more sophisticated and are in general more securethan layer 2 networks. Routing can be managed without some of theinherent problems encountered by the layer 2 networks.

For both layer 2 and layer 3 networks, the various transport systemsdescribed herein, in some cases, might be used to deliver accuratetiming, which, in some cases, might utilize open-loop feedbackinformation or closed-loop feedback information, thereby compensatingfor variations in the network path. In some instances, accurate timingsources (e.g., GPS sources in or outside the network) might be used. Oneor more grand master clocks might each transmit timing information aslave clock(s), which might be co-located (e.g., in a base band unit(“BBU”) hotel, a wireless service provider network, or the like). Timedelay difference between paths might be calculated (e.g., node A to nodeZ and node Z to node A, or the like). An open-loop system (or aclosed-loop system) might be in place to perform the measurement at agiven frequency (which might be adjustable by software). The differenceis taken into account for accurate timing. PTP might actively transmittime of day information, frequency information, and phase information.Due to the variability in the networks, the differences are generallylarger for the layer 2 and layer 3 networks compared to the layer 1networks. In some cases, the system might (establish and) enforce a pathas static (i.e., unchanging, etc.) and as high priority as the networksallow. In some instances, the system might guarantee that physical pathsand routes remain the same. The system might also guarantee the highestquality service to transport timing information. This ensures smallestlevels of variations in the delay—in either direction. There mightusually be two master clocks and two slave clocks for redundancy(although one of each might be used where appropriate). In someembodiments, the two paths master clocks-to-slave clocks remainindependent and fixed in time.

The first grand master clock 405 a, the second grand master clock 405 b,the GPS antenna 415, the one or more network elements 420 or 425, thefirst slave clock 445 a, the second slave clock 445 b, and the BBUs 450of system 400 might otherwise be similar, if not identical, to the firstgrand master clock 105 a, the second grand master clock 105 b, the GPSantenna 120 b, the computing system 130 or the one or more networkelements 175, the first slave clock 145 a, the second slave clock 145 b,and the network node 160 of system 100 of FIG. 1, respectively, and thedescriptions of these components of system 100 are applicable to thecorresponding components of system 400, respectively.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating another system 500 forimplementing ASaaS functionality, in accordance with variousembodiments. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, system 500 might comprise aBBU hotel or wireless communications service provider central office505, which might comprise a (physical) roof 505 a and a rooftop cablepenetration 505 b. System 500 might further comprise a GPS receiver andoptical converter 510, which is located within the BBU hotel 505, thatmight be communicatively coupled to a GPS antenna 515 that receivestiming signals from one or more GPS sources (such as GPS sources 115 ofFIG. 1, or the like). The GPS receiver and optical converter 510 mightreceive the timing signals from the GPS antenna 515 via a wirepenetrating through the rooftop cable penetration 505 b.

System 500 might further comprise a PTP master clock and distributionunit/device 520 also located within the BBU hotel 505. The PTP masterclock 520 receives a GPS optical signal from the optical converter 510via an optical fiber line between the optical converter 510 and the PTPmaster clock 520. In some embodiments, the PTP master clock anddistribution unit 520 might send a PTP timing signal to each of a firstPTP slave clock 530 a and a second PTP slave clock 530 b, both of whichare also located within the BBU hotel 505. System 500 might furthercomprise one or more BBUs 535 located within the BBU hotel 505. The oneor more BBUs 535 might comprise a first BBU 535 a, a second BBU 535 b,through an N^(th) BBU 535 n, each of which might comprise a first input(also referred to as “input A”) and a second input (also referred to as“input B”). The first PTP slave clock 530 a might send the PTP timingsignal to the first input (or input A) of each of the first throughN^(th) BBUs 535 a-535 n via path 540 a (shown in FIG. 5 as a solid linebetween the PTP master clock and each of the BBUs 535), while the secondPTP slave clock 530 b might send the PTP timing signal to the secondinput (or input B) of each of the first through N^(th) BBUs 535 a-535 nvia path 540 b (shown in FIG. 5 as a dashed line between the PTP masterclock and each of the BBUs 535). Each of the BBUs 535 might subsequentlyforward the PTP timing signal to one or more remote radio heads(“RRHs”), one or more other network elements, one or more otherfronthaul network elements, one or more backhaul network elements, orany other devices that utilize timing signals, and/or the like. In someembodiments, the PTP timing signal might include, but is not limited to,frequency information, phase information, time of day information,and/or the like.

The use of a single GPS antenna input that is converted to an opticalsignal, as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 5 eliminates extrapenetration holes in the CO or BBU hotel 505, and lowers the cost ofinstallation (as no mounting of BBU antennas on the roof the structureis required, while cable routing is simplified). The embodiment of FIG.5 also features distribution of the timing signal(s) using low-latencyoptical network (after the GPS signal is converted into an opticalsignal), use of a single GPS antenna, use of PTP over Ethernet point topoint link between antenna master and multiple destinations for everyBBU requiring a timing signal.

The PTP master clock 520, the GPS antenna 515, the first slave clock 530a, the second slave clock 530 b, and the BBUs 535 of system 500 mightotherwise be similar, if not identical, to the first or second grandmaster clock 105 a or 105 b, the GPS antenna 120 b, the first slaveclock 145 a, the second slave clock 145 b, and the network node 160 ofsystem 100 of FIG. 1, respectively, and the descriptions of thesecomponents of system 100 are applicable to the corresponding componentsof system 500, respectively.

FIGS. 6A and 6B (collectively, “FIG. 6”) are schematic diagramsillustrating various systems 600 and 600′ for implementing ASaaSfunctionality, in accordance with various embodiments. FIG. 6A depictsan embodiment in which the BBUs 630 are separate from the one or morepods 620, while FIG. 6B depicts an embodiment in which virtual BBUs 630′are instantiated with the one or more pods 620.

With reference to FIG. 6A, system 600 might comprise a BBU hotel orwireless communications service provider central office 605, which mightcomprise a (physical) roof 605 a and one or more rooftop cablepenetrations 605 b (two are shown in the embodiment of FIG. 6). System600 might further comprise a first grand master clock 610 a and a secondgrand master clock 610 b, each located within the BBU hotel 605. Thefirst grand master clock 610 a might communicatively couple to a firstGPS antenna 615 that receives timing signals from one or more GPSsources (such as GPS sources 115 of FIG. 1, or the like), via a wirepenetrating through one of the rooftop cable penetration 605 b.Similarly, the second grand master clock 610 b might communicativelycouple to a second GPS antenna 615 that also receives timing signalsfrom one or more (same or different) GPS sources (such as GPS sources115 of FIG. 1, or the like), via another wire penetrating throughanother rooftop cable penetration 605 b.

System 600 might further comprise one or more pods 620 also locatedwithin the BBU hotel 605. The one or more pods 620 might receive a PTPoptical timing signal from each of the first grand master clock 610 aand the second grand master clock 610 b via an optical fiber line 625(in some cases via a gigabit Ethernet line) between the one or more pods620 and each of the first grand master clock 610 a and the second grandmaster clock 610 b. System 600 might further comprise one or more BBUs630 located within the BBU hotel 605. The one or more BBUs 630 mightcomprise a first BBU 630 a, a second BBU 630 b, through an N^(th) BBU630 n, each of which might comprise a first input (also referred to as“input A”) and a second input (also referred to as “input B”). The oneor more pods 620 might send the PTP timing signal to the first input (orinput A) of each of the first through N^(th) BBUs 630 a-630 n via path635 a (shown in FIG. 6 as a solid line between the one or more pods 620and each of the BBUs 630), while sending the PTP timing signal to thesecond input (or input B) of each of the first through N^(th) BBUs 630a-630 n via path 635 b (shown in FIG. 6 as a dashed line between the oneor more pods 620 and each of the BBUs 630). Each of the BBUs 630 mightsubsequently forward the PTP timing signal to one or more remote radioheads (“RRHs”), one or more other network elements, one or more otherfronthaul network elements, one or more backhaul network elements, orany other devices that utilize timing signals, and/or the like. In someembodiments, the PTP timing signal might include, but is not limited to,frequency information, phase information, time of day information,and/or the like.

In some embodiments, the one or more pods 620 might comprise one or morepseudo-pods. Herein, “pseudo-pod” might refer to hardware resources thatmight be the customer device version of hardware resources that may befound in a service provider network functions virtualizationinfrastructure (“NFVI”) (which are referred to herein as pods, and mightbe embodied in the service provider NFVI as one or more racks ofequipment or the like). In some embodiments, each pod might representand/or include physical hardware resources that are part of the NFVIsystem, or the like. In some cases, each pod might represent a rack ofnetwork communications equipment (e.g., compute resource, storageresource, etc.) within a telecommunications facility (in this case, a COor BBU hotel that is associated with a wireless communications orcellular service provider or the like. According to some embodiments,the one or more pods 620 might allow the wireless communications orcellular service provider or the like to internally burst at least onePTP timing signal among its own physical or virtual hardware resources.In some cases, specific timing virtual machines (“VMs”) might be createdin every pod 620 (at least 2 for redundancy) that might serve as virtualslave clocks. The grand master clocks 610 deliver accurate timing toevery pod 620 via direct optical Ethernet path or the like, and eachtiming VM provides timing signals to the one or more BBUs 630, which inturn forward the timing signals to the backhaul and/or to the fronthaul(including RRHs or the like).

Turning to FIG. 6B, the BBU hotel 605 (including the roof 605 a and theone or more rooftop cable penetrations 605 b, etc.), the first grandmaster clock 610 a, the second grand master clock 610 b, the GPSantennas 615, the one or more pods 620, and the optical fiber line 625of system 600′ might be similar, if not identical, to the BBU hotel 605(including the roof 605 a and the one or more rooftop cable penetrations605 b, etc.), the first grand master clock 610 a, the second grandmaster clock 610 b, the GPS antennas 615, the one or more pods 620, andthe optical fiber line 625 of system 600 in FIG. 6A, except that the oneor more pods 620 might comprise one or more virtual BBUs (“vBBUs”) 630′,which might comprise a first vBBU 630 a′, a second vBBU 630 b′, throughan N^(th) vBBU 630 n′, rather than one or more (physical) BBUs beingseparate from (yet communicatively coupled with) the one or more pods620.

Similar to the embodiment of FIG. 6A, the one or more pods 620 mightcomprise one or more pseudo-pods. As above, “pseudo-pod” might refer tohardware resources that might be the customer device version of hardwareresources that may be found in a service provider NFVI (which arereferred to herein as pods, and might be embodied in the serviceprovider NFVI as one or more racks of equipment or the like). In someembodiments, each pod might represent and/or include physical hardwareresources that are part of the NFVI system, or the like. In some cases,each pod might represent a rack of network communications equipment(e.g., compute resource, storage resource, etc.) within atelecommunications facility (in this case, a CO or BBU hotel that isassociated with a wireless communications or cellular service provideror the like. According to some embodiments, the one or more pods 620might allow the wireless communications or cellular service provider orthe like to internally burst at least one PTP timing signal among itsown physical or virtual hardware resources. In some cases, specifictiming virtual machines (“VMs”) might be created in every pod 620 (atleast 2 for redundancy) that might serve as virtual slave clocks. Thegrand master clocks 610 deliver accurate timing to every pod 620 viadirect optical Ethernet path or the like, and each timing VM providestiming signals to the one or more vBBUs 630′ within the pod, which inturn forward the timing signals to the backhaul and/or to the fronthaul(including RRHs or the like). In some cases, every pod 620 might have apriority network (e.g., timing only priority network or the like) thatprovides virtual PTP synchronization and/or timing to every vBBU 630′within the pod 620. Virtual hosted network elements like the vBBUs 630′can consume time synchronization directly.

The first grand master clock 405 a, the second grand master clock 405 b,the GPS antennas 615, and the BBUs 630 (or vBBUs 630′) of system 600(and 600′) might otherwise be similar, if not identical, to the firstgrand master clock 105 a, the second grand master clock 105 b, the GPSantennas 120 b, and the network node 160 of system 100 of FIG. 1,respectively, and the descriptions of these components of system 100 areapplicable to the corresponding components of system 600, respectively.

FIGS. 7A and 7B (collectively, “FIG. 7”) are flow diagrams illustratinga method 700 for implementing ASaaS functionality, in accordance withvarious embodiments. Method 700 in FIG. 7A continues onto FIG. 7Bfollowing the circular marker denoted, “A.”

While the techniques and procedures are depicted and/or described in acertain order for purposes of illustration, it should be appreciatedthat certain procedures may be reordered and/or omitted within the scopeof various embodiments. Moreover, while the method 700 illustrated byFIG. 7 can be implemented by or with (and, in some cases, are describedbelow with respect to) the systems 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, and600′ of FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6A, and 6B respectively (or componentsthereof), such methods may also be implemented using any suitablehardware (or software) implementation. Similarly, while each of thesystems 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, and 600′ of FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,6A, and 6B, respectively (or components thereof), can operate accordingto the method 700 illustrated by FIG. 7 (e.g., by executing instructionsembodied on a computer readable medium), the systems 100, 200, 300, 400,500, 600, and 600′ of FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6A, and 6B can each alsooperate according to other modes of operation and/or perform othersuitable procedures.

In the embodiment of FIG. 7A, method 700 might comprise receiving, witha first grand master clock (which might correspond to first grand masterclocks 105 a, 215 a, 310 a, 410 a, 520, and 610 a of FIGS. 1-6, or thelike), a first timing signal (which might correspond to timing signal110 a of FIG. 1, or the like) from a first global positioning system(“GPS”) source (which might correspond to GPS source 115 a of FIG. 1, orthe like) (block 705), sending, with the first grand master clock, asecond timing signal (which might correspond to timing signals 125 a,140, 140 a, and/or 140 c of FIG. 1, or the like) to a first slave clock(which might correspond to first slave clocks 145 a, 225 a, 345 a, 445a, and 530 a of FIGS. 1-5, or the like) via a first network path in afirst network (which might correspond to networks 135, 325, and 430 ofFIGS. 1, 3, and 4, or the like), the second timing signal being based atleast in part on the first timing signal (block 710), and sending, withthe first grand master clock, the second timing signal to the firstslave clock via a second network path in the first network, the secondnetwork path being different from the first network path (block 715).

Method 700 might further comprise calculating, with a computing system(which might correspond to computing system 130 of FIG. 1, or the like),a first transmission time for the second timing signal to be transmittedbetween the first grand master clock and the first slave clock via thefirst network path (block 720) and calculating, with the computingsystem, a second transmission time for the second timing signal to betransmitted between the first grand master clock and the first slaveclock via the second network path (block 725). In some embodiments, thecomputing system might include, but is not limited to, one of a servercomputer, a network node, a gateway device, a router, a switch, thefirst and/or second master clock, and/or the like.

At block 730, method 700 might comprise, based on a determination thatthe first transmission time and the second transmission time aredifferent, calculating, with the computing system, a time delaydifference between the first network path and the second network path interms of sending the second timing signal to the first slave clock.Method 700, at block 735, might comprise generating, with the computingsystem, a third timing signal, based at least in part on the secondtiming signal and the calculated time delay difference between the firstnetwork path and the second network path. Method 700 might furthercomprise, at block 740, sending, with the computing system, thegenerated third timing signal to a network node (which might correspondto network node 160 of FIG. 1, or the like) disposed within a secondnetwork (which might correspond to network 150 of FIG. 1, or the like).In some cases, the network node might include, without limitation, atleast one of one or more network elements, one or more base band units(“BBUs”), one or more computing systems, and/or the like. The one ormore network elements might include, but are not limited to, networkswitches, network nodes, network routers, gateway devices, and/or thelike (similar to nodes or network elements 175 a-175 n, 210 a-210 d,320, 330, 420, and 425 of FIGS. 1-4, or the like). The one or more BBUs(which might correspond to BBUs 240, 350, 450, 535, 535 a-535 n, 630,and 630 a-630 n, and virtual BBUs 630′ and 630 a′-630 n′ of FIGS. 1-6,or the like) might comprise cellular BBUs, wireless communications BBUs,and/or the like. According to some embodiments, sending the generatedthird timing signal to the network node might comprise sending, with thecomputing system, the generated third timing signal to the network nodedisposed within the second network via optical fiber communicationbetween the computing system and the network node. Method 700 mightproceed to block 745 as shown in FIG. 7B following the circular markerdenoted, “A.”

In FIG. 7B, at block 745, method 700 might comprise receiving, with asecond grand master clock (which might correspond to second grand masterclocks 105 b, 215 b, 310 b, 410 b, and 610 b of FIGS. 1-4 and 6, or thelike), a fourth timing signal (which might correspond to timing signal110 b of FIG. 1, or the like) from at least one of the first GPS sourceor a second GPS source (which might correspond to GPS source 115 b ofFIG. 1, or the like). Method 700 might further comprise sending, withthe second grand master clock, a fifth timing signal (which mightcorrespond to timing signals 125 b, 140, 140 b, and/or 140 d of FIG. 1,or the like) to a second slave clock (which might correspond to secondslave clocks 145 b, 225 b, 345 b, 445 b, and 530 b of FIGS. 1-5, or thelike) via a third network path in the first network, the fifth timingsignal being based at least in part on the fourth timing signal (block750), sending, with the second grand master clock, the fifth timingsignal to the second slave clock via a fourth network path in the firstnetwork (block 755), calculating, with the computing system, a thirdtransmission time for the fifth timing signal to be transmitted betweenthe second grand master clock and the second slave clock via the thirdnetwork path (block 760), and calculating, with the computing system, afourth transmission time for the fifth timing signal to be transmittedbetween the second grand master clock and the second slave clock via thefourth network path (block 765).

In some embodiments, the third network path might be different from anyof the first network path or the second network path, while the fourthnetwork path might be different from any of the first network path, thesecond network path, or the third network path. According to someembodiments, the first network path might comprise a first sequence of afirst plurality of network elements through which the second timingsignal is sent, while the second network path might comprise a secondsequence of the same first plurality of network elements through whichthe second timing signal is sent, and the second sequence might be theopposite of the first sequence. In other words, in such embodiments,sending the timing signal along the first network path might comprisesending from the master clock to the slave clock, while sending thetiming signal along the second network path might comprise sending alonga return path from the slave clock to the master clock, or vice versa,where timing signal passes along the same network elements except in thereverse order along the return path. In a similar manner, the thirdnetwork path might comprise a third sequence of a second plurality ofnetwork elements through which the fifth timing signal is sent, whilethe fourth network path might comprise a fourth sequence of the samesecond plurality of network elements through which the fifth timingsignal is sent, and the fourth sequence might be the opposite of thethird sequence. In other words, in such embodiments, sending the timingsignal along the third network path might comprise sending from themaster clock to the slave clock, while sending the timing signal alongthe fourth network path might comprise sending along a return path fromthe slave clock to the master clock, or vice versa, where timing signalpasses along the same network elements except in the reverse order alongthe return path.

Method 700, at block 770, might comprise, based on a determination thatthe third transmission time and the fourth transmission time aredifferent, calculating, with the computing system, a time delaydifference between the third network path and the fourth network path interms of sending the fifth timing signal to the second slave clock. Atblock 775, method 700 might comprise generating, with the computingsystem, a sixth timing signal, based at least in part on the fifthtiming signal and the calculated time delay difference between the thirdnetwork path and the fourth network path and based at least in part onthe second timing signal and the calculated time delay differencebetween the first network path and the second network path. Method 700might further comprise, at block 780, sending, with the computingsystem, the generated sixth timing signal to the network node disposedwithin the second network.

In some embodiments, the first network path and the second network path(as well as the third network path and the fourth network path) mighteach comprise open systems interconnection (“OSI”) model layer 1 networkdevices, and the first grand master clock might be communicativelycoupled with a reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexer (“ROADM”),which might utilize at least one of dense wavelength divisionmultiplexing (“DWDM”) and/or coarse wavelength division multiplexing(“CWDM”) techniques, or the like. Alternatively, or additionally, thefirst network path and the second network path (as well as the thirdnetwork path and the fourth network path) might each comprise OSI modellayer 2 network devices and switches, and the first grand master clockmight be disposed within a service provider central office in the firstnetwork. Alternatively, or additionally, the first network path and thesecond network path (as well as the third network path and the fourthnetwork path) might each comprise OSI model layer 3 network devices,routers, and switches, and the first grand master clock might also bedisposed within a service provider central office in the first network.In some cases, each of the first network path and the second networkpath (as well as each of the third network path and the fourth networkpath) might be static network paths. With the physical paths and routesbeing the same (or static), the highest quality of services to transporttiming information can be achieved, while ensuring the smallest levelsof variations in the delay—along either direction. The use of two masterclocks and two slave clocks, in some embodiments, provide redundancy. Insome aspects, the two paths master clocks-to-slave clocks remainindependent and fixed in time.

According to some embodiments, at least the third timing signal and thesixth timing signal (and in some cases, at least one of the first,second, fourth, and/or fifth timing signals, as well) each comprises aprecision time protocol (“PTP”) timing signal, which includes, withoutlimitation, frequency information, phase information, time of dayinformation, and/or the like.

In some embodiments, the second network might be a wireless carriernetwork associated with a wireless carrier, and the network node mightcomprise at least one base band unit (“BBU”). The first slave clock(and, in some cases, the second slave clock, as well) and the at leastone BBU might be disposed within at least one of a central office or aBBU hotel associated with the wireless carrier (as shown, e.g., in theembodiments of FIGS. 2-5, or the like), and the PTP timing signal mightbe used to provide timing and synchronization between backhaul andfronthaul networks associated with the wireless carrier.

In some instances, such as shown in the embodiments of FIGS. 5 and 6,the first network and the second network might be the same network, andthe first grand master clock (as shown in FIG. 5; and, in some cases,the second grand master clock as well, as shown in FIG. 6) might bedisposed within the at least one of the central office or the BBU hotelassociated with the wireless carrier. In such embodiments, the at leastone of the central office or the BBU hotel might comprise at least onerooftop cable penetration (one in the embodiment of FIG. 5, and two inthe embodiment of FIG. 6) through which a cable provides the firsttiming signal to the first grand master clock (and/or the second grandmaster clock), via an optical converter, from at least one GPS antenna(one in the embodiment of FIG. 5, and two in the embodiment of FIG. 6)that communicatively couples to the first GPS source.

According to some embodiments, the PTP timing signal might be a virtualPTP timing signal, where the at least one BBU might comprise at leastone virtual BBU (“vBBU”) (as shown, e.g., in the embodiment of FIG. 6B,or the like). In some instances, the first slave clock (and/or thesecond slave clock) might comprise a timing virtual machine (“VM”) thatis created in each of at least one pod. The first grand master clock(and, in some cases, the second grand master clock, as well) and the atleast one pod might be disposed within the at least one of the centraloffice or the BBU hotel associated with the wireless carrier. In somecases, the first grand master clock (and/or the second grand masterclock) might communicatively couple with the at least one pod viaoptical fiber communication (e.g., fiber optic gigabit Ethernetcommunication, or the like). Like some of the above-mentionedembodiments, the at least one of the central office or the BBU hotelmight comprise at least one rooftop cable penetration (one in theembodiment of FIG. 5, and two in the embodiment of FIG. 6) through whicha cable provides the first timing signal to the first grand master clockfrom at least one GPS antenna that communicatively couples to the firstGPS source. In some instances, the at least one vBBU might receive timeinformation as well as time synchronization, via the virtual PTP timingsignal, directly from the at least one pod.

Exemplary System and Hardware Implementation

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary computer or systemhardware architecture, in accordance with various embodiments. FIG. 8provides a schematic illustration of one embodiment of a computer system800 of the service provider system hardware that can perform the methodsprovided by various other embodiments, as described herein, and/or canperform the functions of computer or hardware system (i.e., grand masterclocks 105 a, 105 b, 215 a, 215 b, 310 a, 310 b, 410 a, 410 b, 520, 610a, and 610 b, computing system 130, slave clocks 145 a, 145 b, 225 a,225 b, 345 a, 345 b, 445 a, 445 b, 530 a, and 530 b, nodes or networkelements 160, 175 a-175 n, 210 a-210 d, 320, 330, 420, and 425, devices170 a-170 n, base band units (“BBUs”) 240, 350, 450, 535, 535 a-535 n,630, and 630 a-630 n, and virtual BBUs 630′ and 630 a′-630 n′, etc.), asdescribed above. It should be noted that FIG. 8 is meant only to providea generalized illustration of various components, of which one or more(or none) of each may be utilized as appropriate. FIG. 8, therefore,broadly illustrates how individual system elements may be implemented ina relatively separated or relatively more integrated manner.

The computer or hardware system 800—which might represent an embodimentof the computer or hardware system (i.e., grand master clocks 105 a, 105b, 215 a, 215 b, 310 a, 310 b, 410 a, 410 b, 520, 610 a, and 610 b,computing system 130, slave clocks 145 a, 145 b, 225 a, 225 b, 345 a,345 b, 445 a, 445 b, 530 a, and 530 b, nodes or network elements 160,175 a-175 n, 210 a-210 d, 320, 330, 420, and 425, devices 170 a-170 n,BBUs 240, 350, 450, 535, 535 a-535 n, 630, and 630 a-630 n, and virtualBBUs 630′ and 630 a′-630 n′, etc.), described above with respect toFIGS. 1-7—is shown comprising hardware elements that can be electricallycoupled via a bus 805 (or may otherwise be in communication, asappropriate). The hardware elements may include one or more processors810, including, without limitation, one or more general-purposeprocessors and/or one or more special-purpose processors (such asmicroprocessors, digital signal processing chips, graphics accelerationprocessors, and/or the like); one or more input devices 815, which caninclude, without limitation, a mouse, a keyboard, and/or the like; andone or more output devices 820, which can include, without limitation, adisplay device, a printer, and/or the like.

The computer or hardware system 800 may further include (and/or be incommunication with) one or more storage devices 825, which can comprise,without limitation, local and/or network accessible storage, and/or caninclude, without limitation, a disk drive, a drive array, an opticalstorage device, solid-state storage device such as a random accessmemory (“RAM”) and/or a read-only memory (“ROM”), which can beprogrammable, flash-updateable, and/or the like. Such storage devicesmay be configured to implement any appropriate data stores, including,without limitation, various file systems, database structures, and/orthe like.

The computer or hardware system 800 might also include a communicationssubsystem 830, which can include, without limitation, a modem, a networkcard (wireless or wired), an infra-red communication device, a wirelesscommunication device and/or chipset (such as a Bluetooth™ device, an802.11 device, a WiFi device, a WiMax device, a WWAN device, a Z-Wavedevice, a ZigBee device, cellular communication facilities, etc.),and/or the like. The communications subsystem 830 may permit data to beexchanged with a network (such as the network described below, to nameone example), with other computer or hardware systems, and/or with anyother devices described herein. In many embodiments, the computer orhardware system 800 will further comprise a working memory 835, whichcan include a RAM or ROM device, as described above.

The computer or hardware system 800 also may comprise software elements,shown as being currently located within the working memory 835,including an operating system 840, device drivers, executable libraries,and/or other code, such as one or more application programs 845, whichmay comprise computer programs provided by various embodiments(including, without limitation, hypervisors, VMs, and the like), and/ormay be designed to implement methods, and/or configure systems, providedby other embodiments, as described herein. Merely by way of example, oneor more procedures described with respect to the method(s) discussedabove might be implemented as code and/or instructions executable by acomputer (and/or a processor within a computer); in an aspect, then,such code and/or instructions can be used to configure and/or adapt ageneral purpose computer (or other device) to perform one or moreoperations in accordance with the described methods.

A set of these instructions and/or code might be encoded and/or storedon a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, such as thestorage device(s) 825 described above. In some cases, the storage mediummight be incorporated within a computer system, such as the system 800.In other embodiments, the storage medium might be separate from acomputer system (i.e., a removable medium, such as a compact disc,etc.), and/or provided in an installation package, such that the storagemedium can be used to program, configure, and/or adapt a general purposecomputer with the instructions/code stored thereon. These instructionsmight take the form of executable code, which is executable by thecomputer or hardware system 800 and/or might take the form of sourceand/or installable code, which, upon compilation and/or installation onthe computer or hardware system 800 (e.g., using any of a variety ofgenerally available compilers, installation programs,compression/decompression utilities, etc.) then takes the form ofexecutable code.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that substantialvariations may be made in accordance with specific requirements. Forexample, customized hardware (such as programmable logic controllers,field-programmable gate arrays, application-specific integratedcircuits, and/or the like) might also be used, and/or particularelements might be implemented in hardware, software (including portablesoftware, such as applets, etc.), or both. Further, connection to othercomputing devices such as network input/output devices may be employed.

As mentioned above, in one aspect, some embodiments may employ acomputer or hardware system (such as the computer or hardware system800) to perform methods in accordance with various embodiments of theinvention. According to a set of embodiments, some or all of theprocedures of such methods are performed by the computer or hardwaresystem 800 in response to processor 810 executing one or more sequencesof one or more instructions (which might be incorporated into theoperating system 840 and/or other code, such as an application program845) contained in the working memory 835. Such instructions may be readinto the working memory 835 from another computer readable medium, suchas one or more of the storage device(s) 825. Merely by way of example,execution of the sequences of instructions contained in the workingmemory 835 might cause the processor(s) 810 to perform one or moreprocedures of the methods described herein.

The terms “machine readable medium” and “computer readable medium,” asused herein, refer to any medium that participates in providing datathat causes a machine to operate in a specific fashion. In an embodimentimplemented using the computer or hardware system 800, various computerreadable media might be involved in providing instructions/code toprocessor(s) 810 for execution and/or might be used to store and/orcarry such instructions/code (e.g., as signals). In manyimplementations, a computer readable medium is a non-transitory,physical, and/or tangible storage medium. In some embodiments, acomputer readable medium may take many forms, including, but not limitedto, non-volatile media, volatile media, or the like. Non-volatile mediaincludes, for example, optical and/or magnetic disks, such as thestorage device(s) 825. Volatile media includes, without limitation,dynamic memory, such as the working memory 835. In some alternativeembodiments, a computer readable medium may take the form oftransmission media, which includes, without limitation, coaxial cables,copper wire and fiber optics, including the wires that comprise the bus805, as well as the various components of the communication subsystem830 (and/or the media by which the communications subsystem 830 providescommunication with other devices). In an alternative set of embodiments,transmission media can also take the form of waves (including, withoutlimitation, radio, acoustic, and/or light waves, such as those generatedduring radio-wave and infra-red data communications).

Common forms of physical and/or tangible computer readable mediainclude, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, a hard disk,magnetic tape, or any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, any other opticalmedium, punch cards, paper tape, any other physical medium with patternsof holes, a RAM, a PROM, and EPROM, a FLASH-EPROM, any other memory chipor cartridge, a carrier wave as described hereinafter, or any othermedium from which a computer can read instructions and/or code.

Various forms of computer readable media may be involved in carrying oneor more sequences of one or more instructions to the processor(s) 810for execution. Merely by way of example, the instructions may initiallybe carried on a magnetic disk and/or optical disc of a remote computer.A remote computer might load the instructions into its dynamic memoryand send the instructions as signals over a transmission medium to bereceived and/or executed by the computer or hardware system 800. Thesesignals, which might be in the form of electromagnetic signals, acousticsignals, optical signals, and/or the like, are all examples of carrierwaves on which instructions can be encoded, in accordance with variousembodiments of the invention.

The communications subsystem 830 (and/or components thereof) generallywill receive the signals, and the bus 805 then might carry the signals(and/or the data, instructions, etc. carried by the signals) to theworking memory 835, from which the processor(s) 805 retrieves andexecutes the instructions. The instructions received by the workingmemory 835 may optionally be stored on a storage device 825 eitherbefore or after execution by the processor(s) 810.

As noted above, a set of embodiments comprises methods and systems forimplementing network timing functionality, and, in particularembodiments, to methods, systems, apparatus, and computer software forimplementing Accurate Synchronization as a Service (“ASaaS”)functionality. FIG. 9 illustrates a schematic diagram of a system 900that can be used in accordance with various embodiments. The system 900can each include one or more user computers, user devices, or customerdevices 905. A user computer, user device, or customer device 905 can bea general purpose personal computer (including, merely by way ofexample, desktop computers, tablet computers, laptop computers, handheldcomputers, and the like, running any appropriate operating system,several of which are available from vendors such as Apple, MicrosoftCorp., and the like), cloud computing devices, a server(s), and/or aworkstation computer(s) running any of a variety ofcommercially-available UNIX™ or UNIX-like operating systems. A usercomputer, user device, or customer device 905 can also have any of avariety of applications, including one or more applications configuredto perform methods provided by various embodiments (as described above,for example), as well as one or more office applications, databaseclient and/or server applications, and/or web browser applications.Alternatively, a user computer, user device, or customer device 905 canbe any other electronic device, such as a thin-client computer,Internet-enabled mobile telephone, and/or personal digital assistant,capable of communicating via a network (e.g., the network(s) 910described below) and/or of displaying and navigating web pages or othertypes of electronic documents. Although the exemplary system 900 isshown with two user computers, user devices, or customer devices 905,any number of user computers, user devices, or customer devices can besupported.

Certain embodiments operate in a networked environment, which caninclude a network(s) 910. The network(s) 910 can be any type of networkfamiliar to those skilled in the art that can support datacommunications using any of a variety of commercially-available (and/orfree or proprietary) protocols, including, without limitation, TCP/IP,SNA™, IPX™, AppleTalk™, and the like. Merely by way of example, thenetwork(s) 910 (similar to networks 135 of FIGS. 1 and 2, or the like),as well as the network 940 (similar to networks 135, 325, and 430 ofFIGS. 1, 3, and 4, or the like) and network 950 (similar to network 150of FIG. 1, or the like), can each include a local area network (“LAN”),including, without limitation, a fiber network, an Ethernet network, aToken-Ring™ network, and/or the like; a wide-area network (“WAN”); awireless wide area network (“WWAN”); a virtual network, such as avirtual private network (“VPN”); the Internet; an intranet; an extranet;a public switched telephone network (“PSTN”); an infra-red network; awireless network, including, without limitation, a network operatingunder any of the IEEE 802.11 suite of protocols, the Bluetooth™ protocolknown in the art, the Z-Wave protocol known in the art, the ZigBeeprotocol or other IEEE 802.15.4 suite of protocols known in the art,and/or any other wireless protocol; and/or any combination of theseand/or other networks. In a particular embodiment, the network mightinclude an access network of the service provider (e.g., an Internetservice provider (“ISP”)). In another embodiment, the network mightinclude a core network of the service provider, and/or the Internet.

Embodiments can also include one or more server computers 915. Each ofthe server computers 915 may be configured with an operating system,including, without limitation, any of those discussed above, as well asany commercially (or freely) available server operating systems. Each ofthe servers 915 may also be running one or more applications, which canbe configured to provide services to one or more clients 905 and/orother servers 915.

Merely by way of example, one of the servers 915 might be a data server,a web server, a cloud computing device(s), or the like, as describedabove. The data server might include (or be in communication with) a webserver, which can be used, merely by way of example, to process requestsfor web pages or other electronic documents from user computers 905. Theweb server can also run a variety of server applications, including HTTPservers, FTP servers, CGI servers, database servers, Java servers, andthe like. In some embodiments of the invention, the web server may beconfigured to serve web pages that can be operated within a web browseron one or more of the user computers 905 to perform methods of theinvention.

The server computers 915, in some embodiments, might include one or moreapplication servers, which can be configured with one or moreapplications accessible by a client running on one or more of the clientcomputers 905 and/or other servers 915. Merely by way of example, theserver(s) 915 can be one or more general purpose computers capable ofexecuting programs or scripts in response to the user computers 905and/or other servers 915, including, without limitation, webapplications (which might, in some cases, be configured to performmethods provided by various embodiments). Merely by way of example, aweb application can be implemented as one or more scripts or programswritten in any suitable programming language, such as Java™, C, C#™ orC++, and/or any scripting language, such as Perl, Python, or TCL, aswell as combinations of any programming and/or scripting languages. Theapplication server(s) can also include database servers, including,without limitation, those commercially available from Oracle™,Microsoft™, Sybase™, IBM™, and the like, which can process requests fromclients (including, depending on the configuration, dedicated databaseclients, API clients, web browsers, etc.) running on a user computer,user device, or customer device 905 and/or another server 915. In someembodiments, an application server can perform one or more of theprocesses for implementing network timing functionality, and, inparticular embodiments, to methods, systems, apparatus, and computersoftware for implementing Accurate Synchronization as a Service(“ASaaS”) functionality, or the like, as described in detail above. Dataprovided by an application server may be formatted as one or more webpages (comprising HTML, JavaScript, etc., for example) and/or may beforwarded to a user computer 905 via a web server (as described above,for example). Similarly, a web server might receive web page requestsand/or input data from a user computer 905 and/or forward the web pagerequests and/or input data to an application server. In some cases, aweb server may be integrated with an application server.

In accordance with further embodiments, one or more servers 915 canfunction as a file server and/or can include one or more of the files(e.g., application code, data files, etc.) necessary to implementvarious disclosed methods, incorporated by an application running on auser computer 905 and/or another server 915. Alternatively, as thoseskilled in the art will appreciate, a file server can include allnecessary files, allowing such an application to be invoked remotely bya user computer, user device, or customer device 905 and/or server 915.

It should be noted that the functions described with respect to variousservers herein (e.g., application server, database server, web server,file server, etc.) can be performed by a single server and/or aplurality of specialized servers, depending on implementation-specificneeds and parameters.

In certain embodiments, the system can include one or more databases 920a-920 n (collectively, “databases 920”). The location of each of thedatabases 920 is discretionary: merely by way of example, a database 920a might reside on a storage medium local to (and/or resident in) aserver 915 a (and/or a user computer, user device, or customer device905). Alternatively, a database 920 n can be remote from any or all ofthe computers 905, 915, so long as it can be in communication (e.g., viathe network 910) with one or more of these. In a particular set ofembodiments, a database 920 can reside in a storage-area network (“SAN”)familiar to those skilled in the art. (Likewise, any necessary files forperforming the functions attributed to the computers 905, 915 can bestored locally on the respective computer and/or remotely, asappropriate.) In one set of embodiments, the database 920 can be arelational database, such as an Oracle database, that is adapted tostore, update, and retrieve data in response to SQL-formatted commands.The database might be controlled and/or maintained by a database server,as described above, for example.

With reference to FIG. 9, according to some embodiments, system 900might further comprise a first grand master clock 925 a and a secondgrand master clock 925 b (similar to grand master clocks 105 a, 105 b,215 a, 215 b, 310 a, 310 b, 410 a, 410 b, 520, 610 a, and 610 b of FIGS.1-6, or the like), each communicatively coupled to a global positioningsystem (“GPS”) antenna (similar to GPS antennas 120 b, 220, 315, 415,515, and 615 of FIGS. 1-6, or the like). System 900 might furthercomprise a computing system 935 (similar to computing system 130 of FIG.1, or the like) in a network(s) 940 (similar to networks 135, 325, and430 of FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, or the like). In some embodiments, thecomputing system 935 might include, but is not limited to, one of aserver computer, a network node, a gateway device, a router, a switch,the first and/or second master clock, and/or the like. System 900 mightalso comprise a first slave clock 945 a and a second slave clock 945 b(similar to slave clocks 145 a, 145 b, 225 a, 225 b, 345 a, 345 b, 445a, 445 b, 530 a, and 530 b of FIGS. 1-5, or the like), both disposedwithin network(s) 950 (similar to network 150 of FIG. 1, or the like).System 900 might further comprise one or more network nodes 955 (similarto network node 160 of FIG. 1, or the like) and one or more devices 960a-960 n (collectively, “devices 960”) that may either be disposed withinnetwork(s) 950 or communicatively coupled to network(s) 950. In somecases, system 900 might further comprise one or more network elements965 a-965 n (collectively, “network elements 965”) that may be disposedwithin network(s) 940. In some embodiments, the devices 960 (similar todevices 170 a-170 n, base band units (“BBUs”) 240, 350, 450, 535, 535a-535 n, 630, and 630 a-630 n, and virtual BBUs 630′ and 630 a′-630 n′of FIGS. 1-6, or the like) might include, but are not limited to, one ormore BBUs, one or more remote radio heads (“RRHs”), one or more othernetwork elements, or any other devices that utilize timing signals,and/or the like. According to some embodiments, the network elements 965(similar to nodes or network elements 175 a-175 n, 210 a-210 d, 320,330, 420, and 425 of FIGS. 1-4, or the like) or the one or more othernetwork elements might include, without limitation, network switches,network nodes, network routers, gateway devices, and/or the like.

In operation, the first grand master clock 925 a might receive a firsttiming signal from a GPS source (not shown) via GPS antenna 930, andmight send a second timing signal (which is based at least in part onthe first timing signal) to computing system 935 in network(s) 940. Insome cases, the second grand master clock 925 b might likewise receive athird timing signal from a GPS source (also not shown; which could bethe same GPS source as that for the first timing signal or a differentGPS source) via GPS antenna 930, and might send a fourth timing signal(which is based at least in part on the third timing signal) to thecomputing system 935. The computing system 935 might send the secondtiming signal to the first slave clock 945 a via a first network path(similar to path 340 a or 440 a of FIG. 3 or 4, or the like) and mightsend the fourth timing signal to the second slave clock 945 b via asecond network path (similar to path 340 b or 440 b of FIG. 3 or 4, orthe like), both via network(s) 910. The computing system 935 mightcalculate a first transmission time for the second timing signal to betransmitted between the first grand master clock 925 a and the firstslave clock 945 a via the first network path, might calculate a secondtransmission time for the second timing signal to be transmitted betweenthe second grand master clock 925 b and the second slave clock 945 b viathe second network path, and might, based on a determination that thefirst transmission time and the second transmission time are different,calculate a first time delay difference between the first network pathand the second network path in terms of sending the timing signals tothe slave clocks. In some embodiments, the computing system 935 mightadditionally calculate a third transmission time for the second timingsignal to be transmitted along a first return path from the first slaveclock 945 a to the first grand master clock 925 a, and might, based on adetermination that the first transmission time and the thirdtransmission time are different, calculate a second time delaydifference between the first network path and the first return path interms of sending the timing signals to/from the first slave clock.Similarly, the computing system 935 might additionally calculate afourth transmission time for the fourth timing signal to be transmittedalong a second return path from the second slave clock 945 b to thesecond grand master clock 925 b, and might, based on a determinationthat the second transmission time and the fourth transmission time aredifferent, calculate a third time delay difference between the secondnetwork path and the second return path in terms of sending the timingsignals to/from the second slave clock. The computing system mightsubsequently generate a fifth timing signal, which might be based atleast in part on one or more of the second timing signal, the fourthtiming signal, the first time delay difference, the second time delaydifference, and/or the third time delay difference, or the like. Thecomputing system might then send the generated fifth timing signal tothe network node 955, and the fifth timing signal may be used by devices960 for timing and synchronization purposes. In some cases, the networknode 955 might include one or more BBUs, while the devices 960 mightinclude, without limitation, one or more RRHs or other fronthaul networkelements, one or more backhaul network elements, and/or the like.According to some embodiments, at least one of the second timing signal,the fourth timing signal, and/or the fifth timing signal might be aprecision time protocol (“PTP”) timing signal, which might comprise atleast frequency information, phase information, and time of dayinformation.

These and other functions of the system 900 (and its components) aredescribed in greater detail above with respect to FIGS. 1-7.

While certain features and aspects have been described with respect toexemplary embodiments, one skilled in the art will recognize thatnumerous modifications are possible. For example, the methods andprocesses described herein may be implemented using hardware components,software components, and/or any combination thereof. Further, whilevarious methods and processes described herein may be described withrespect to particular structural and/or functional components for easeof description, methods provided by various embodiments are not limitedto any particular structural and/or functional architecture but insteadcan be implemented on any suitable hardware, firmware and/or softwareconfiguration. Similarly, while certain functionality is ascribed tocertain system components, unless the context dictates otherwise, thisfunctionality can be distributed among various other system componentsin accordance with the several embodiments.

Moreover, while the procedures of the methods and processes describedherein are described in a particular order for ease of description,unless the context dictates otherwise, various procedures may bereordered, added, and/or omitted in accordance with various embodiments.Moreover, the procedures described with respect to one method or processmay be incorporated within other described methods or processes;likewise, system components described according to a particularstructural architecture and/or with respect to one system may beorganized in alternative structural architectures and/or incorporatedwithin other described systems. Hence, while various embodiments aredescribed with—or without—certain features for ease of description andto illustrate exemplary aspects of those embodiments, the variouscomponents and/or features described herein with respect to a particularembodiment can be substituted, added and/or subtracted from among otherdescribed embodiments, unless the context dictates otherwise.Consequently, although several exemplary embodiments are describedabove, it will be appreciated that the invention is intended to coverall modifications and equivalents within the scope of the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for implementing accuratesynchronization as a service (“ASaaS”) functionality, comprising:receiving, with a first grand master clock, a first timing signal from afirst global positioning system (“GPS”) source; sending, with the firstgrand master clock, a second timing signal to a first slave clock via afirst network path in a first network, the second timing signal beingbased at least in part on the first timing signal; sending, with thefirst grand master clock, the second timing signal to the first slaveclock via a second network path in the first network, the second networkpath being different from the first network path; calculating, with acomputing system, a first transmission time for the second timing signalto be transmitted between the first grand master clock and the firstslave clock via the first network path; calculating, with the computingsystem, a second transmission time for the second timing signal to betransmitted between the first grand master clock and the first slaveclock via the second network path; based on a determination that thefirst transmission time and the second transmission time are different,calculating, with the computing system, a time delay difference betweenthe first network path and the second network path in terms of sendingthe second timing signal to the first slave clock; generating, with thecomputing system, a third timing signal, based at least in part on thesecond timing signal and the calculated time delay difference betweenthe first network path and the second network path, wherein the thirdtiming signal comprises a precision time protocol (“PTP”) timing signal,the PTP timing signal comprising frequency information, phaseinformation, and time of day information; and sending, with thecomputing system, the generated third timing signal to a network nodedisposed within a second network, wherein the second network is awireless carrier network associated with a wireless carrier, wherein thenetwork node comprises at least one base band unit (“BBU”), wherein thefirst slave clock and the at least one BBU are disposed within at leastone of a central office or a BBU hotel associated with the wirelesscarrier, and wherein the PTP timing signal is used to provide timing andsynchronization between backhaul and fronthaul networks associated withthe wireless carrier.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the firstnetwork and the second network are the same network, wherein the firstgrand master clock is disposed within the at least one of the centraloffice or the BBU hotel associated with the wireless carrier, andwherein the at least one of the central office or the BBU hotelcomprises at least one rooftop cable penetration through which a cableprovides the first timing signal to the first grand master clock, via anoptical converter, from at least one GPS antenna that communicativelycouples to the first GPS source.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein thePTP timing signal is a virtual PTP timing signal, wherein the at leastone BBU comprises at least one virtual BBU (“vBBU”), wherein the firstslave clock comprises a timing virtual machine (“VM”) that is created ineach of at least one pod, wherein the first grand master clock and theat least one pod are disposed within the at least one of the centraloffice or the BBU hotel associated with the wireless carrier, whereinthe first grand master clock communicatively couples with the at leastone pod via optical fiber communication, wherein the at least one of thecentral office or the BBU hotel comprises at least one rooftop cablepenetration through which a cable provides the first timing signal tothe first grand master clock from at least one GPS antenna thatcommunicatively couples to the first GPS source, and wherein the atleast one vBBU receives time information and time synchronization, viathe virtual PTP timing signal, directly from the at least one pod. 4.The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving, with a secondgrand master clock, a fourth timing signal from at least one of thefirst GPS source or a second GPS source; sending, with the second grandmaster clock, a fifth timing signal to a second slave clock via a thirdnetwork path in the first network, the fifth timing signal being basedat least in part on the fourth timing signal, the third network pathbeing different from any of the first network path or the second networkpath; sending, with the second grand master clock, the fifth timingsignal to the second slave clock via a fourth network path in the firstnetwork, the fourth network path being different from any of the firstnetwork path, the second network path, or the third network path;calculating, with the computing system, a third transmission time forthe fifth timing signal to be transmitted between the second grandmaster clock and the second slave clock via the third network path;calculating, with the computing system, a fourth transmission time forthe fifth timing signal to be transmitted between the second grandmaster clock and the second slave clock via the fourth network path;based on a determination that the third transmission time and the fourthtransmission time are different, calculating, with the computing system,a time delay difference between the third network path and the fourthnetwork path in terms of sending the fifth timing signal to the secondslave clock; generating, with the computing system, a sixth timingsignal, based at least in part on the fifth timing signal and thecalculated time delay difference between the third network path and thefourth network path and based at least in part on the second timingsignal and the calculated time delay difference between the firstnetwork path and the second network path; and sending, with thecomputing system, the generated sixth timing signal to the network nodedisposed within the second network.
 5. The method of claim 4, whereinthe first network path comprises a first sequence of a first pluralityof network elements through which the second timing signal is sent, thesecond network path comprises a second sequence of the same firstplurality of network elements through which the second timing signal issent, and the second sequence is the opposite of the first sequence; andwherein the third network path comprises a third sequence of a secondplurality of network elements through which the fifth timing signal issent, the fourth network path comprises a fourth sequence of the samesecond plurality of network elements through which the fifth timingsignal is sent, and the fourth sequence is the opposite of the thirdsequence.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first network path andthe second network path each comprises at least one of open systemsinterconnection (“OSI”) model layer 3 network devices, routers, andswitches or OSI model layer 2 network devices and switches, wherein thefirst grand master clock is disposed within a service provider centraloffice in the first network.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the firstnetwork path and the second network path each comprises OSI model 1network devices, wherein the first grand master clock is communicativelycoupled with a reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexer (“ROADM”). 8.The method of claim 1, wherein sending the generated third timing signalto the network node comprises sending, with the computing system, thegenerated third timing signal to the network node disposed within thesecond network via optical fiber communication between the computingsystem and the network node.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein each ofthe first network path and the second network path are static networkpaths.
 10. A system for implementing accurate synchronization as aservice (“ASaaS”) functionality, comprising: a first grand master clock,comprising: at least one first processor; and a first non-transitorycomputer readable medium communicatively coupled to the at least onefirst processor, the first non-transitory computer readable mediumhaving stored thereon computer software comprising a first set ofinstructions that, when executed by the at least one first processor,causes the first grand master clock to: receive a first timing signalfrom a first global positioning system (“GPS”) source; send a secondtiming signal to a first slave clock via a first network path in a firstnetwork, the second timing signal being based at least in part on thefirst timing signal; and send the second timing signal to the firstslave clock via a second network path in the first network, the secondnetwork path being different from the first network path; a computingsystem, comprising: at least one second processor; and a secondnon-transitory computer readable medium communicatively coupled to theat least one second processor, the second non-transitory computerreadable medium having stored thereon computer software comprising asecond set of instructions that, when executed by the at least onesecond processor, causes the computing system to: calculate a firsttransmission time for the second timing signal to be transmitted betweenthe first grand master clock and the first slave clock via the firstnetwork path; calculate a second transmission time for the second timingsignal to be transmitted between the first grand master clock and thefirst slave clock via the second network path; based on a determinationthat the first transmission time and the second transmission time aredifferent, calculate a time delay difference between the first networkpath and the second network path in terms of sending the second timingsignal to the first slave clock; generate a third timing signal, basedat least in part on the second timing signal and the calculated timedelay difference between the first network path and the second networkpath, wherein the third timing signal comprises a precision timeprotocol (“PTP”) timing signal, the PTP timing signal comprisingfrequency information, phase information, and time of day information;and send the generated third timing signal to a network node disposedwithin a second network, wherein the second network is a wirelesscarrier network associated with a wireless carrier, wherein the networknode comprises at least one base band unit (“BBU”), wherein the firstslave clock and the at least one BBU are disposed within at least one ofa central office or a BBU hotel associated with the wireless carrier,and wherein the PTP timing signal is used to provide timing andsynchronization between backhaul and fronthaul networks associated withthe wireless carrier.
 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the firstnetwork and the second network are the same network, wherein the firstgrand master clock is disposed within the at least one of the centraloffice or the BBU hotel associated with the wireless carrier, andwherein the at least one of the central office or the BBU hotelcomprises at least one rooftop cable penetration through which a cableprovides the first timing signal to the first grand master clock, via anoptical converter, from at least one GPS antenna that communicativelycouples to the first GPS source.
 12. The system of claim 10, wherein thePTP timing signal is a virtual PTP timing signal, wherein the at leastone BBU comprises at least one virtual BBU (“vBBU”), wherein the firstslave clock comprises a timing virtual machine (“VM”) that is created ineach of at least one pod, wherein the first grand master clock and theat least one pod are disposed within the at least one of the centraloffice or the BBU hotel associated with the wireless carrier, whereinthe first grand master clock communicatively couples with the at leastone pod via optical fiber communication, wherein the at least one of thecentral office or the BBU hotel comprises at least one rooftop cablepenetration through which a cable provides the first timing signal tothe first grand master clock from at least one GPS antenna thatcommunicatively couples to the first GPS source, and wherein the atleast one vBBU receives time synchronization, via the virtual PTP timingsignal, directly from the at least one pod.
 13. The system of claim 10,further comprising: a second grand master clock, comprising: at leastone third processor; and a third non-transitory computer readable mediumcommunicatively coupled to the at least one third processor, the thirdnon-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon computersoftware comprising a third set of instructions that, when executed bythe at least one third processor, causes the second grand master clockto: receive a fourth timing signal from at least one of the first GPSsource or a second GPS source; send a fifth timing signal to a secondslave clock via a third network path in the first network, the fifthtiming signal being based at least in part on the fourth timing signal,the third network path being different from any of the first networkpath or the second network path; and send the fifth timing signal to thesecond slave clock via a fourth network path in the first network, thefourth network path being different from any of the first network path,the second network path, or the third network path; wherein the secondset of instructions, when executed by the at least one second processor,further causes the computing system to: calculate a third transmissiontime for the fifth timing signal to be transmitted between the secondgrand master clock and the second slave clock via the third networkpath; calculate a fourth transmission time for the fifth timing signalto be transmitted between the second grand master clock and the secondslave clock via the fourth network path; based on a determination thatthe third transmission time and the fourth transmission time aredifferent, calculate a time delay difference between the third networkpath and the fourth network path in terms of sending the fifth timingsignal to the second slave clock; generate a sixth timing signal, basedat least in part on the fifth timing signal and the calculated timedelay difference between the third network path and the fourth networkpath and based at least in part on the second timing signal and thecalculated time delay difference between the first network path and thesecond network path; and send the generated sixth timing signal to thenetwork node disposed within the second network.
 14. The system of claim13, wherein the first network path comprises a first sequence of a firstplurality of network elements through which the second timing signal issent, the second network path comprises a second sequence of the samefirst plurality of network elements through which the second timingsignal is sent, and the second sequence is the opposite of the firstsequence; and wherein the third network path comprises a third sequenceof a second plurality of network elements through which the fifth timingsignal is sent, the fourth network path comprises a fourth sequence ofthe same second plurality of network elements through which the fifthtiming signal is sent, and the fourth sequence is the opposite of thethird sequence.
 15. The system of claim 10, wherein the first networkpath and the second network path each comprises at least one of opensystems interconnection (“OSI”) model layer 3 network devices, routers,and switches, or OSI model layer 2 network devices and switches, andwherein the first grand master clock is disposed within a serviceprovider central office in the first network.
 16. The system of claim10, wherein the first network path and the second network path eachcomprises OSI model layer 1 network devices, and wherein the first grandmaster clock is communicatively coupled with a reconfigurable opticaladd-drop multiplexer (“ROADM”).